Keep On Keepin' On :)

Fun fact: There were ten random Koreans that showed up to Sacrament meeting yesterday. They're studying English in Malaysia (which is something that I don't quite understand, personally, since Malaysian English is...well, Malaysian English. 'Nuff said :) ). Either way, though, they're super awesome, and we're going to be teaching them English on Wednesday nights. They taught me how to say 'promise' in Korean, so I'm content :)

Another fun fact: Lu ho bo? Lu ay hiao fujianhua bo? Yep, that's right--I be picking up some Hokkien! Otherwise known as Fujianhua, Hokkien is one of the prominent dialects spoken here in Kuching. We've ran into several people in the farther reaches of the city (aka Chinese kampungs) that don't speak: 1) English; B) Malay; III) Iban; or Quatro) Mandarin. Suoyi ne? I'm trying to pick up some Hokkien so I can converse with them. At least enough to tell them that I'm from China (fun fact: Best way to win a Chinese heart is to be a redhead and tell them you're from China :) ), and that no, I don't speak Hokkien; do you spreckon ze Mandarin ma? :)

Third fun fact: I'm really trying to revamp my Language Study this week. I've been working on a killer language study plan that will increase my vocab and that will help me start learning how to read and write (simplified, of course). I feel like the biggest barriers to my Chinese right now are a lack of vocab and the fact that I can't use the actual Chinese writing system in teaching situations. There's SO MUCH meaning behind so many characters--I really have a desire to unlock the potential they have while teaching. It's gonna be a party. In other words: This week is going to involve a crackdown on language study, ranging from increased vocab to studying characters to learnin' me some Hokkien.

This past weekend was the grand opening of our FAMILY HISTORY BOOTH :) We set it up in a mall and talked with people about family history. We handed out dozens, if not hundreds, of flyers and pass-along cards, and took down the names of those people interested in learning more. It was a really cool experience, and we're excited to continue using this tool in our proselyting.  Hopefully it will help push the work forward here in Kuching :)
Last night we met with a really solid family in our branch for dinner.  One of the members started sharing a lot of really personal details about his life. I'm not going to get into them here, but suffice it to say he'd made some mistakes. As he was telling the story to us in Malay and as it was being translated into  English for us non-Bahasa speakers, I couldn't help but feel the Savior's love for him and the fact that the Atonement had changed this man's life for forever. That's the way the Lord works. He gives us second chance after second chance, and He always will as long as we accept said chances. I've had a chance to really stop and think about what the Atonement means to me and to my family. I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for His willingness to condescend to earth to bring us all back up to live in celestial courts on high.

I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful day and week! 

Keep on keepin' on :)

Mai  Zhanglao :)

Turnin' Hearts Like Bosses

Here we be again-another P-Day, another destiny :)

This past week has been BUSY! I'm amazed at the enthusiasm that the Lord has for missionary work. Often times I think of it just as us missionaries and members being excited to go share the Gospel with people, but I sometimes forget that the Lord is even more anxious for others' salvation than we are.

I feel that excitement here in Kuching. Things are just falling into place too well to call it a coincidence. Most things in life are like that, really, but I never really recognized or appreciated that until I became a missionary. Things really have been put into some great perspective here :)

In other news: Family history! Boom! It's certainly one of the greatest tools in a missionary's arsenal. Working with the family history senior couple, we're working on developing a family history pamphlet/brochure that we can start passing out to people. In addition to that, we're going to be able to set up a booth that will also broadcast information about family history to the world. Everyone has a family, and most everyone loves their families. Yesterday, we decided to go do a little bit of contacting. We knocked on one door, and the Buddhist who answered was at first hesitant and even against talking with us...but then we whipped out the family history card and the Spirit took care of the rest. Although he didn't show much interest in the Church at all, he was interested in the site and (as far as we know) will be looking into it in the near future. Moments like that: 1) Restore my faith in humanity; and B) Help me appreciate the power of family history. The Spirit of Elijah really can penetrate even the hardest of hearts and can soften anyone to the truthfulness of the Gospel. 

Today for Personal Study I had the opportunity to study a LOT about the Savior. More than usual, I mean. Today's focus, without any prior preparation by yours truly, consisted of Luke 2, Mosiah 4 (the beginning few verses), and a chapter from Jesus the Christ. It was awesome to reminisce on the Redeemer of mankind. He loves each and every one of us--I know that that is a fact. I have felt that love guiding and helping me through life. I'm so grateful for His sacrifice and for the Atonement that He performed. I am grateful that even though I am far from perfect, I can one day rest with Him and with my family forever. 

Keep on keepin' on.

Love you all,

Mai Zhanglao

Times, They Are A-Hastenin'

Guten tag! Bonjour! Nimen hao! :)

I hope that you all are having just a terrific and marvelous day today. And a marvelous past week, as a matter of fact. I know I sure have. 

This past week has been one full of excitement. Like I mentioned last week, I feel like Kuching is just full of this pent-up, "hastening the work" energy that is on the verge of 'coming forth'. Yesterday we had a Branch Council Meeting that was AMAZING! It was our new branch president's first time running it, and he did such an amazing job. The work truly is hastening.

For example:

This past week, as me and my companion were doing some good ole Weekly Planning, we spent a good portion of time thinking of new ways that we can use to find and teach people. The ever-recurring idea was that of family history. Fun fact: Most people, even if they want nothing to do with the Church, have an interest in their families, past and present. 

We've started using the 'family history' approach with people as we knock on doors and meet them on the streets. We've also started creating a family history pamphlet that explains more about family history and stuff like that. Consultants now man the family history center almost every Sunday, and things are in the works to start using family history in mall contacting. All in all, the Spirit of Elijah is starting to sweep my mind and heart, and hopefully the hearts of all the other inhabitants of Cat City. 

One of my new all-time favorite quotes is from Elder Russell M. Nelson: The Spirit of Elijah is "a manifestation of the Holy Spirit bearing witness of the divine nature of the family" (well, something along those lines...that's not an exact quotation. Sorry 'bout that ;) ).

I know that that's true. The Lord's desire is for all of us to be bound together with our families, sealed in an unbroken chain that soars through the eternities. The work of redeeming our dead is just as important as bringing new investigators into the Church, or as reactivating an inactive member, or any of those things. Joseph Smith once said (this also isn't an exact quotation) that we cannot be saved without our dead, nor they without us. I testify that the Plan of Salvation is REAL--Maybe that statement seems a little vague, or a little blunt, but to each his own. I know that the Lord has a plan for each of us, and I know that we can one day be with our families and loved ones forever. I've learned so MUCH about the Plan of Salvation as a missionary; I thought that I used to understand it pretty well, but my eyes truly have been opened to some of its gravity and reality. Obviously I can't understand nor comprehend it all, but I can say that my faith in the principle of eternal families is stronger than ever before. The Spirit of Elijah surely does put a fire in our hearts and brings us closer to our loved ones, bridging that gap, that veil, that stands between us and them.

I love you all, and hope that you have a remarkably grand and marvelous week! Remember who you are and what you stand for! Zhen jin bu pa hou lian! :)

Zai jian,

Mai Zhanglao :)

Of Mountains and Members/Missionaries

To All My Homeboys (and -girls),

This one's title is exceptionally applicable because: Kuching has MOUNTAINS! They're a lot different than the ones back home in Utah, but they're mountains nonetheless! I've missed mountains a lot, and it's certainly nice to have something that accentuates and breaks up the neverending jungle scenery. :)

Well, last Tuesday I bid farewell to kith and kin in Miri and, after a taxi ride to the airport that normally takes 45 minutes but took only 20 that day (in bad traffic, no less :) ), I was bound for Kuching! After touching down and getting my bike box and luggage off of the conveyor belt, I was officially in the City of Cats! 

And what an adventure it's been! :)

We had two baptisms this past Saturday night--one was of an investigator, and the other was of a member's son. The poor 8-year-old kid kept letting his feet pop up, so he ended up being dunked four times. On the final time there were people in the congregation that started clapping. :) We did our best to discourage that. :)

There's an excitement here in Kuching that I haven't really felt as a missionary before. There are three new missionaries in the branch I'm assigned to (I'm one of those three); we have a new branch president; there are several good prospects for investigators for me and my companion--the work of the Lord appears to be hastening here in Kuching! I'm very anxious to help out with the effort :)
I don't have much to say beyond that, other than a reiteration of what I've said before: The work of salvation isn't just something that members do, nor is it something that missionaries should be doing by themselves. It's a team effort. We're all on the Lord's side, and we've got to work together, in unity, in oneness of heart and mind, in the spirit of Zion, if we are truly to help the Lord "cut short his work in its time". We have to be willing to work together in order to get the job done. Members and missionaries--I believe the old adage attributed to Benjamin Franklin can be applied quite nicely here: "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."

I love you all! I love this work! I am happiest as I go out and serve others, as I testify about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and as I seek to bring others unto Christ. I have no doubt that the Lord can and will bless YOU--yes, YOU--with that same joy and peace and happiness. The Lord lives; I love Him and am honored to be in His service. His is the glory; mine is the privilege to serve under Him. He loves all of us, despite imperfections and frailties. He strengthens us through His grace, even the enabling power of the Atonement. He awaits for our arrival in the celestial courts above, ready to enfold us in the arms of His love. Trust in Him. Trust in His promises. Pray your hardest, work your hardest, be your bestest, and the Lord will take care of the rest :)

Till we chat again,

Mai Zhanglao/ 麦长老

"I Think I'm Quite Ready for Another Adventure..."-Bilbo Baggins

To My Fellow Hobbits:
Once upon a time, back in first grade, I dressed up as Bilbo Baggins for a Red Ribbon Week activity (or maybe it was Halloween...can't quite recall...whoops ;) ). Anywho, even before that, I was in love with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and so I find it only fitting to draw inspiration from them. The name of this here blogspot is one such quote. And it perfectly describes my feelings for the upcoming week, because guess what?!?! I'm being transferred!! Crazy, huh? :)

After a little over 6 months here in Miri, I'm bound for Kuching. (Fun fact: In Bahasa Melayu, the word 'kuching/kucing' means cat. If you scroll through the photos I've sent in the past, you'll have seen that I've been to this city once, and it truly does have a lot of cats...and not just live ones, but stone statues too. Fun fun fun :) )

Anywho, tomorrow afternoon I'm bound for 'the promised land'/Kuching. It's going to be an awesome adventure, and I'm very excited to begin it! But as I do so, I can't help but marvel at the ache that's in my heart at leaving Miri. I've come to love the people here with all of my heart. They are so precious to me, and they have come to own a special place in my heart. There are some that say that, because I teared up yesterday as I was giving a departing testimony during Sacrament Meeting, I need to hand in my man-card. But for all of you out there with that mentality: "Nanren ku, bushi zui." Boom. Roasted :)

I will miss Miri a whole lot, and I have said and will say many, many prayers on behalf of the wonderful people here. That won't ever stop. Miri has become my home, and our wonderful little Chinese/English branch has become my family. I love them, plain and simple :)

I'm so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. It ensures that we won't just live with family forever. It guarantees that friends will live with us too. After all, we are all one big family, all of us direct descendants, sons and daughters, of our Heavenly Father. He is eager to bless us and wants for the whole human family to be sealed together in one great, neverending round. That is the work of temples. That is the work of missionaries. That is the work of love. That is the work of God. As I said: I'm SO grateful for the Plan of Salvation. Death or departure from an area aren't the end of friendships or love. They're just a little hurdle that, through the enabling power of the Atonement, can be mounted and conquered. 

I love you all, and hope that you have a tremendously grand and great week! Keep on keepin' on! Remember who you are and what you stand for! In the words of some clever missionaries from past years: The Book is blue and the Church is true! :)

Zai jian to Miri, ni hao ma to Kuching :)
Mai Zhanglao :)

Another Week, Another Foot Fungus :)

Yes, as the title states, the Funk (as it's lovingly called here in our mission) has decided to ravage my feet again. Super awesome...not.

Anywho, this has been a good week. Chinese New Year is still going on strong; we had our branch's Chinese New Year Party this past Saturday night. That was super fun, and I got ang pao! (For those of you who know what those are :) ). Another fun fact about Chinese New Year: Me and my companion are currently having a debate as to which of us is Mariah Carey and which of us is Whitney Houston in the song "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt. Pretty fun :) Now that you've had an awkward glimpse into the unknown lives of missionaries, we'll be moving on.... :)

This morning during Personal Study, I had the opportunity to read from Jacob 1:7, which says:

"Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness."

We can cross-reference this scripture to D&C 84:23-25. I won't quote it right now, but you should definitely go read it. In it, we learn that the "rest" that Jacob speaks of and that the Lord talks to Joseph Smith about is actually the "fulness of His glory". The Lord was, in the days when the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, trying to have them seek His face. He wanted the children of Israel to stand in His presence, sanctified and holy. They hardened their hearts, though, and were unable to endure His presence. 

However, we, in this day and age, with all of the covenants and blessings, even the fulness of the everlasting Gospel, at our disposal, need not be hardened in our hearts. As we learn from the song, "Sweet Hour of Prayer": "...He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace". As we do these things, we will enter into the rest of the Lord, even the fulness of His glory. 

I love you all and hope that you have a magnificent week! Remember who you are and what you stand for! :)

Till we chat again,

Mai Zhanglao :)

GongXi FaCai!!! :):):):)

Wo de Renmin, Nimen Hao! :)

This past week ushers in the Year of the Horse--say hello to Ma Nian! :) I've seen more fireworks and had my ears deafened more times in these past few days than I ever had before in my entire life. The New Year started on January 31st, promptly at 12:00 a.m. I was woken up by what sounded like a battle raging outside of our house. Thanks to the fact that we live in a two-story house, I was able to crawl out of bed and watch the fireworks show. It was AMAZING. Fireworks flaring into life from one end of the horizon to the other. As I stood there, watching the pyrotechnics display with child-like awe, I couldn't help but reflect on the wonder and majesty those fireworks embodied. They are man's attempts (powerful, it's true, but compared to God's works, rather vain) to replicate what must surely have been the glory and power of the Creation. Flashes of lights, bursts of man-made thunder--the awe they inspired within me brought to mind the joy and happiness that the Lord must feel when He creates something new--anything from a planet to a flower to a bird to the most precious of all His creations: us :)

Anywho, I had the chance to read from 2 Nephi 26 this past week. The tail-end of that chapter has so much power in it! The Lord commands none to leave Him; He invites ALL to come unto Him. He then gives us commandments that are the requirements we must follow to not only COME unto Him, but to STAY with Him and to BECOME like Him. That's what He wants us to do after all--He has prepared mansions for us. He doesn't want them to be like a hotel you visit for a brief vacation; He means for them to become the homes we dwell in for the eternities.

In order to become like Him, we have to make some changes. I've learned a lot about change this week, most especially from my bike. Believe it or not, sometimes bikes can be a PAIN in the rear end, in more ways than one. Take, for instance, the absolute pain it is when your gears start acting up and grinding almost every single time you pedal. Or the fact that they have problems switching properly. In short, it looks like in the upcoming weeks Elder Mitchell is going to have to be purchasing some new materials for his bike.

It was interesting, though, that all of these problems with my bike could have been avoided. I remember quite distinctly several times, as I biked back and forth throughout Miri, the thought coming to me: "You might want to try switching your gears." Clever little me replied: "I don't really want to. 1) Switching gears is a pain; B) If I stay in this one high gear all the time, I'll get bigger muscles and look kooler and will be able to pedal faster."

That whole little mental conversation occurred multiple times, and all those times the second voice was the one that won out. Now I'm paying the price for it (literally as well as figuratively).

Now, what can be learned from this: Sometimes God wants us to CHANGE. New thought? Nope. Prophets from Adam to Thomas S. Monson have been declaring this sober truth for millenia. Some people call it repentance, some people call it conversion, some call it being born again, some call it finding God in their lives. One way or another, God will have a humble people. One way or another, He will refine us. What does refining mean? Heating up gold hot enough and long enough for the dross and gunk inside to float up to the top and BURN OFF. I dunno about you, but that sounds like a very painful thing. 

I should have switched gears more often. I shouldn't have remained in one single gear for most of my time, because it ended up wearing out and becoming useless. The Lord would have us still ride our spiritual bikes, but we also need to have different sets of gears that we can call upon. Spiritual reserves that draw from the same source, but that are modified to the circumstances at present. Sometimes we need a higher gear of spirituality to make it through the dark days ahead; sometimes we need a lower gear as we deal with friends and associates that don't see eye to eye. Sometimes, we need that specific type of 'gear' that helps us know when we are in the wrong and when we need to change and realign our lives to His will.

Either way, I encourage all of us to further study and learn about this whole thing known as REPENTANCE. CHANGE. CONVERSION. BECOMING LIKE HIM. That's what this life is all about after all, isn't it? :)

I hope that you all have a great day and week! Remember who you are and Who you stand for! :)

Till we chat again,

Mai Zhanglao :)